I want to be a highschoool english teacher anyone teach that can give me advice?

Question

im really interested in english and i would love to teach at a highschool. how long does it take to get your masters ... and what do you have to do to get the credentials to teach? any help or suggetions? im 21 years old, outgoing and very willing to go to school.

Answer 1

It depends on the state in which you want to teach. You can contact your county's department of education and ask them the specific requirements.

Most places require a BA degree, and you must take some education courses if your original degree did not include any. So you don't need to get your MA in English or Education (although it would certainly help you in knowledge and salary, but something you can do after you already start teaching) to teach in most places. Just an Education degree which focuses on English, or an English degree with additional education courses. After this, you must pass a couple of tests called the Praxis tests, at least in my state. This may be called something different where you live. Then you will be awarded a teacher's certificate.

EDIT- And the person who suggested that you need a strong background in "educational theory" - maybe, and that is a big maybe. I found that next to NOTHING from my degree helped me in the classroom. It was almost ALL "on the job" training. Your student teaching time will be very helpful if you happen to get a mentor who cares at all that you are there. The only class that helped me was a childhood psychology class I took. Other than that, the rest of the education courses I took were a boat load of theorectical crap, lol.

Be prepared for a headache in figuring out exactly what you must do if you already have a degree but it does not meet the basic requirements to get a teacher certificate. One option is that if you have a degree already in just English, but no education classes, you can contact principals in your area and see if you can be hired "laterally" which means you get a temporary teaching license which allows you to teach while you are completing the rest of your teaching certificate courses in university.

And finally, the post by the person (denidowi) who criticized your grammar. You will meet MANY, MANY teachers like this if you decide to teach. I know. I have been a teacher for 4 years and I meet jack asses like this all the time. Some teachers (actually many) are the most insecure, childish, passive aggressive, power trip people in the world. They will do anything they can to make themselves look good while trying to make you look incapable and stupid. So you have to have a quick wit and a strong will so you can put these idiots in their place, or ignore their idiotic behavior.

But on the other hand you will also find some of the most sincere, wonderful teachers in the world too, and they will be your help in times of need and guidance. Good luck!

LOL- denidowi. Your response to what I said is proof that I was exactly right in what I said. Asker, do you see what I mean? Caveat emptor, my friend. And denidowi, if my comments are so dumb, then why do I have a higher best answer percentage than you, when we have both answered about the same number of questions?!? LOL again, you are like a petulant child who has been disciplined and is now pouting to get attention. Or better yet, you are like the "how do you like them apples" guy trying to look smart in Good Will Hunting.

One posting like the asker made is not enough to judge her English skills or abilities. Maybe she was in a hurry and didn't think she was gonna get critiqued by an *** like you. I'm sure you have made mistakes in your postings because you were tired or in a hurry (as do most people) and no one is calling you out on your mistakes, because it is rude, so don't do that. Or you can say whatever you want, but don't act like a baby when someone calls you out on it.

Answer 2

The first question I would ask is whether or not you have your bachelor's and if so in what field.

A master's degree usually can take between 2-3 years depending on the school and what is needed to complete. For instance if you were to already have a degree in English (not education though), it would be quicker than a degree in secondary education/english because you have the majority of the English out of the way

I don't think there is any school that allows people to just get a Master's degree and not a bachelor's first so to get your Master's and Bachelor's I would say around 6-7 years

Answer 3

You can teach HS English with a BA degree, but getting a master's is good for career advancement and salary increase once you are teaching.
A love of English is a good start but being a good teacher is hard work, you need lots of patience and a good background in educational theory, learning styles, etc.

Answer 4

Well, being a teacher myself, may I say that with punctuation and spelling skills and habits like yours, that would be close to the very last career I would suggest for you!
I think you should go 'back to the drawing board' first and re-think your path ahead!

Edit to the idiot, "umokay", below:
You'll see that at least one other person was honest enough to give my comment a 'thumbs up'.
You don't help people by lying to them and giving them false security and a false picture of themselves!
May this person could teach art or something, if he/she had that talent, but English would be the very last subject with those linguistic habits.

NO WONDER YOU KEEP YOUR EMAIL AND YOUR ANSWERS PRIVATE.
YOU ARE SO BLIND AND STUPID THAT YOU MUST COP A LOT OF FLAK FOR YOUR STUPIDITY!!

I DON'T BLAME YOU FOR LOCKING UP YOUR COMMUNICATION WITH OTHERS!

Answer 5

Run, and don't look back,